By Nnamdi Ojiego
Use of appropriate Information and Communications Technology, ICT has been described as an important feature of contemporary Distance Learning (DL) education in Nigeria.

Deputy Director, National Universities Commission, Dr. Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf made this known while speaking on the “Open and Distance Education in Nigeria: The Way Forward for Dual-Mode Institutions”, during the 2010 Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Lecture/Seminar Series organised by the Distance Learning Institute of University of Lagos.

He said the contemporary DL practice has to be a blended learning, that is, a mixture of printed matter, CD-ROM/ DVDs, e-books, AV materials, mobile phones, e-mail in proportions and combinations consistent with the context and technological environment in which the DLC operates. According to him, since the course material was the teacher of the DL students, efforts must be made to make course materials interactive, learner friendly and written in a way that promotes independent study.

Speaking further, Dr. Yusuf who is also ODL Desk Officer in the NUC said that for dual mode institutions to achieve enrolment levels that would enable them leverage on economies of scale, ICT deployment was crucial. He stated that NUC ODL project was aimed to promote partnership, networking and collaboration among all dual mode institutions in the Nigerian university system.
According to him, to elevate the practice of DL to the standard of global best practice, institutional and individual capacities must be developed, particularly in ICT to be able to deliver. “It will allow tutoring , facilitation and  mentoring by knowledgeable and ICT  proficient tutors who through induction and re_orientation, are  psychologically prepared to relinquish some of the traditional powers of the  teachers over the students in the conventional mode.

“Flexible learning accomplished through customized course materials-interactive, multi_media, ICT_enabled materials allow students to study anywhere, anytime with very limited face to face contact as well as to use their initiatives to source for information on the World Wide Web and elsewhere.”

Dr. Yusuf said the experiences of well established ODL institutions all over the world such as Open University of UK, suggested that the minimum enrolment level for institutions to begin to benefit from operations at scale was 100,000, adding that with ICT, a center of DLI in Nigeria can take minimum of 50,000 students without compromising standards.

Responding, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe said the university was in the era of ICT, promising to do everything withing his power to provide the necessary technology for ODL in the institution.